River King came in as Malbess left. He nodded to Captain Tkarro, "Thistledown said I might be of help here." Dokka Tkarro said,"You can watch HIM! We've been told he's a possible enemy. Snowflake's his possible target, so guard her when she arrives." Obett stared at King in shock. "He looks just like an Althan Shock trooper from the Last war against the Great Enemy! They were said to be about two meters tall." Dokka smiled at King,"He's far more dangerous than an Altha-Krommium Shock Trooper!" Obett nodded. "The power just radiates off of him on a level I've only encountered rarely before! As if he's a DRUAGA? Like Kali?" King shrugged. "I impressed her. My father scared her." Obett swallowed hard as Snowflake came into the Briefing room. She asked,"Why are you still standing over here?" He almost jumped when he looked at her. "BY ALL that one holds holy! That is Snowflake? Behind that face? You certainly... look... DIFFERENT!" Rose said,"He told us he has some powerful anti-nano-machine devices on him and he 'didn't want to fry our ship's electronics by stepping into the nano-pit or sitting on a free-form chair.' Can you borrow Measure's ability and scan for that,Snowy?" Snowy shrugged and nodded. "She's not objecting or using it. YOW! He sure does have some kick-as--BUTT stuff! He'd fry the ship's electronics pretty thoroughly!" He nodded in admiration. "If you were an ALtha-Krommium android AND part of an ancient weapon system, the Erhlutians would have boarded this ship and be dismantling you to a nano-atomic level by now!" Rose jumped up as she and Snowy shouted in unison,"WE ARE machine-LIFE, NOT machines!" Rose laughed,"Stop copying me, girl!" Snowy laughed,"I do need to come up with my OWN exclamation, don't I? Instead of sounding like a recorder?" Rose sat back down,"Sorry for the outburst! We get that a lot." Obett said,"I just looked at the mechanical hands..." Snowy thrust a hand at him,"Did YOU? LOOK CLOSER!" He almost flinched. "May I touch it?" She nodded. King tensed up visibly. Obett stayed in plain view of King as he gingerly touched Snowy's hand. "WHAT? It's just skin with markings like a TATTOO?" Snowy smiled,"It's inheritable markings. To remind us of our origins!" He smiled at her,"If I hadn't seen your previous appearance on the news, I'd think you were plenty beautiful and fascinating! BUT not LIKE THAT! I am NOT obsessive or compulsive about her! I just see why the Erhlutians might want to grab her!" Dokka asked,"How so?" Obett said,"It's like a list of things. First, part of an ancient Altha-Krommium weapon System. Second, she WAS altered physically by Azreal, an ancient now long extinct species, and lastly a NEW machine-life species! She's like MEAT being dangled in from of hungry carnivores. Even if this Glaen fellow owes you for healing his friend-- HIS SPECIES is YOUR ENEMY! If you have any way to check if there is any other Erhlutian ships arriving here-- DO SO!" Rose said calmly,"We are not without resources." Obett said,"Let me know what you find out. I can leave a method for you to communicate with me. I know of some Erhlutian ships and groups. I might be able to give you all some information. Conceivably. I'm just at a TOTAL loss as to WHY Azreal turned Snowflake into a REGULAR humanoid?" Dokka said,"We're ALL wondering THAT! Since you don't seem to have OCD... his move seems to have NO sense at all." Obett shrugged. "If anyone hears of it, people here will flee faster than an outbreak of of the Blight! That is nightmare-making stuff!" King said to Dokka,"Not all reasons are visible. Time hides motives and reasons. My father taught me that." Obett said,"Your father sounds very wise." King said,"He's the Celestial King of the Heavens!" Obett turned white. Dokka groaned. _--TO BE CONTINUED!--